Thalapathy Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026 [4].
The transition marks a significant political shift in the state as a former cinema star successfully translates mass popularity into executive power. This development follows a period of intense coalition building after the state elections.
Vijay met with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in Chennai to stake his claim to form the government [1]. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. [5] on Sunday at the Governor’s residence, known as Lok Bhavan or Raj Bhavan [2].
To secure the leadership position, Vijay gathered the support of 120 members of the Legislative Assembly [1]. This number surpasses the 118-member simple majority required to govern the 234-member Assembly [1].
The coalition supporting the new Chief Minister includes the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the Congress party, and various Left parties [1]. The VCK provided written support to solidify the alliance [6].
Beyond the legislative count, the TVK has established a strong electoral footprint. The party secured 5,000,000 votes to be officially recognized as a political party [3].
Security has been tightened around the Raj Bhavan in Chennai as supporters prepare for the transition of power. The appointment concludes the government formation process following the 2026 elections.
“Vijay gathered the support of 120 members of the Legislative Assembly”
The ascent of Vijay to the Chief Minister's office signals a potential disruption of the long-standing dominance of traditional Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu. By building a broad coalition that includes both national players like Congress and regional allies like the VCK, the TVK is attempting to bridge diverse ideological gaps to maintain a stable majority in the 234-member Assembly.
